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Up and down the Rhone

Written by Ray Johnson

Cotes du Rhone | Crozes-Hermitage | France | Grenache | Syrah

E. Guigal, Cotes du Rhone 2005 This wine is typically on the more polished side of Rhone blends with a hint of oak. That sense comes through again with a bit of earth and dried fruits. The blend is 55% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 8% Mourvedre and some other stuff. Eleve et mis en bouteille Ampuis 13% $12.49 at Bottle Barn Guigal

Domaine des Entrefaux, Crozes-Hermitage, 2006 Black pepper, minerality, black fruit and structure in a good value Northern Rhone Syrah. With an extra 2 months the fruit is starting to pop out in a bigger way. Moving onto to July ’09, the rubber notes are getting stronger and will be too much for some.

The level of tannin and acid cry out for some sausages to pair with. The wine spends time split evenly between barrels, foudres and inert tanks. Charles & Francois Tardy a Chanos-Curson 12.5% $19.99 at Bottle Barn

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